GAME REPORT

Classy Cras Gun Down Galatasaray

Cras Basket Taranto won for the fourth consecutive game in the EuroLeague Women on Thursday night by beating Galatasaray in Italy.

Roberto Ricchini's troops, taking on the side that defeated them in the EuroCup Women Final last season, won 77-63.

The result was especially sweet for Cras as they lost by 12 points at Galatasaray in the first week of the current European club season.

Michelle Greco poured in 19 points for the winners.

Included in her scoring haul was a three-of-five effort from long range.

The Italians have been sky high since upsetting Ros Casares a couple of weeks ago.

They got their noses in front of Galatasaray in the first quarter and stayed on top for the remainder of the contest.

Leading 9-8, Michelle Greco buried a three-pointer and Rebekkah Brunson followed with a jumper for a 14-8 advantage.

Yelena Leuchanka, who had 13 points and 13 rebounds for Galatasaray, replied with a jump shot to reduce the arrears to 14-10 only for a Megan Mahoney basket to give the hosts a 16-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.

A Sophia Young three-pointer for Gala reduced the arrears to 18-15 with 7:12 to go in the second quarter.

Cras replied with a 14-4 run for a 32-19 advantage and they stayed in command the rest of the way.

Both sides shot the ball well on the night, but from long range Cras were far superior.

They connected on nine of 18 shots from behind the arc compared to four of seven for Galatasaray.

Jami Montagnino was four of six from the three-point line for Cras.

Inside the arc, Ricchini's team was 20 of 34 while Galatasaray were 19 of 45.

Former TEO Vilnius and CSKA Moscow guard Katie Douglas played her first EuroLeague Women game for Galatasaray and had 16 points.

Cras improved to 4-2 while Galatasaray fell to 3-3.

COACH QUOTES

Quotes Cras Basket Taranto vs. Galatasaray

Cras Taranto point guard Michelle Greco: "It 'a good time. We have demonstrated it again tonight, with an intense game, return to fold a strong team like Istanbul. Now we believe much more in the third place in the EuroLeague Women and in our future in this competition".

Cras Taranto head coach Roberto Ricchini:"A big applause to my team that, despite the psychological and physical stress of this period, played another important game. Galatasaray was a tough opponent, but the collective and the heat of the public, have enabled us to win another two points for the EuroLeague Women".

Galatasaray guard Yasemen Saylar:"It 'was a difficult game. Balanced. They have won thanks to defensive intensity. Our commitment was not enough, but the qualification to the knockout round is not in question. We'll make the next challenge".

Galatasaray head coach Zafer Kalaycioglu:"To win tonight, we needed our best basketball. But we have not always played at the top. We miss an important player in Isil Alben, that can turn good team. But we have also suffered from their physical and mental strength".